Propagation of desert moss Syntrichia caninervis in peat pellet: a method for rapidly obtaining large numbers of cloned gametophytes

Xiujin Liu,Daoyuan Zhang,Ping Zhou,Xiaoshuang Li

doi:10.1186/s13007-021-00740-7

Abstract

BackgroundSyntrichia caninervis is a typical desiccation tolerant moss that is a dominant species forming biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert. This study investigated the effect of different explants on regeneration potential by propagating them on peat pellet.ResultJuvenile and green leaves can regenerate secondary protonema within one week and shoots in one-half month in peat pellet. Rhizoids have a great ability to regenerate, and similar to leaf regeneration, secondary protonema is the dominant type of regenerant. The process of stem regeneration is similar to that of whole gametophytes. Stems are the most important integral body part during propagation. The whole gametophyte is the best materials for rapidly propagating gametophyte on peat pellet.ConclusionThis article improves the state of our current knowledge of desiccation tolerant moss cultivation, highlighting efforts to effectively obtain a large number of gametophytes through different explant parts. This work provides a useful resource for the study of S. caninervis as well as biocrust restoration.

Highlights

Bryophytes, such as liverworts, hornworts, and mosses, first emerged 480 million years ago and are widespread across the world from moist tropical rainforests to dry deserts
This article improves the state of our current knowledge of desiccation tolerant moss cultivation, highlighting efforts to effectively obtain a large number of gametophytes through different explant parts
Regenerant protonema was first observed after 4.31 ± 1.56 d of cultivation (Table 1), and protonema was initially evident on leaf basal surface; after a few days, protonema germinated from the apical surface of the leaf (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

Bryophytes, such as liverworts, hornworts, and mosses, first emerged 480 million years ago and are widespread across the world from moist tropical rainforests to dry deserts. Bryophytes have no true roots, stems, leaves, or water transport system compared with seed plants. They have retained the poikilohydry and desiccation tolerance that are probably the optimal pattern of adaptation at their scale [1]. Worldwide distribution bryophytes have constructed a well-developed system for propagation. Physcomitrella patens is a model species in bryophytes, it exhibits a series of successful regeneration methods at the gametophyte or sporophyte stage [6]. Syntrichia caninervis is a typical desiccation tolerant moss that is a dominant species forming biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert. This study investigated the effect of different explants on regeneration potential by propagating them on peat pellet

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion